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February 7, 2013

"What Sells and What Doesn't: Vintage Market in Florida"

Guest blogger Kitty

My booth at Adjectives Market

My name is Kitty and I'm so happy that Carol asked me to write a guest post on what sells and what doesn't. She's my favorite blogger and I've followed her since the day I found her blog online. She lives in Orlando and I've had the occasion to meet and talk shop with her several times. She's a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share her expertise.

My booth at Adjectives Market

I have a booth along the upstairs wall at Adjectives Market in Altamonte Springs, Florida located in the Greater Orlando area. I got my feet wet selling vintage items at Renningers Flea Market in Mount Dora about an hour up the road before I moved to Adjectives Market. I immersed myself in design many years ago and grew up with antiques, so selling vintage items is something I really enjoy.

In the beginning it was hard to part with my display pieces, so I try not to have "display only" items in my booth. Now I sell them knowing that something new and just as fabulous will come along. Just think, if something makes your wares look good, what it might do for a customer's home?

My old booth at Renningers Flea Market

Most people think of burlap bags when they think of my booth. I sell a lot of burlap, most of it stenciled by me in a wide variety of designs. Although my signature is burlap, I also sell a lot of signs and found metal objects. I lean toward industrial design and primitive wood.

The paper flower were to merchandise the crate- until people wanted to buy them

I vary my merchandise by season selling signs in the summer and pillows in the cooler seasons. I try to limit my inventory to smaller items I can move by myself and fit easily in my truck. I also sell little packages of gift tags and seam binding ribbon and the paper flowers above.

I have developed a following of customers who either know me or my burlap designs. Since I don't have to be at Adjectives Market to sell (They have a hired staff that handles sales), many customers recognize my work when I'm out at shows or they see it posted online.

My advice to vendors is to develop an expertise in a particular area and to network with other vendors regarding pricing and aesthetic desirability of items to sell. Carve out a niche for yourself and become the "go-to" person for a particular type of merchandise. Get to know your customers and listen to what they say. They know what they want. Finally, fluff your booth on a regular basis. I sell more when I am there "fluffing" than when I'm not.

I welcome you to visit my blog Heart Vintage Design and my Etsy shop. I write about a variety of topics often touching on business practices and featuring events in the greater Orlando area.

Hi, it's me Carol...Thank you so much Kitty! OK, how much fun is this getting to see what sells, what doesn't and getting tons of selling ideas along the way....I am loving Kitty's horse picture!!

I hope you are enjoying this series, if you have missed any of my guest bloggers there is a tab at the top of my blog titled "Selling Antiques"that has links to all of their posts.

I would like to personally THANK YOU for not having "display only" items in your booth. It makes me crazy when I see this - and it is usually the best item in the booth. I always figure if the person is that attached to it they should put it in their home. Big display pieces I can understand, but...

Hi Carol, you are such a sweetie to feature Kitty's shop and blog. I am also a follower of Kitty's . . . I wish that I had found the two of you before last February when I visited the Orlando area. I was staying at Coco Beach for a week . . . if I ever get back . . . your booths are on my must visit list :)Have a wonderful weekend.Your blogging sister, Connie :)

Thank you Kitty for guesting and sharing your knowledge and expertise. Your space and items look wonderful. Thank you Carol for the continued introduction to others for "What Sells and What Doesn't". Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

Kitty, thanks so much for all your suggestions & inspiration. I sell at flea mkts 150mi SW of you & relate to the trends you mentioned. Will try harder to follow your closing advice to carve a niche to be that go-to vendor!

Loving this peek into other vendor's booths. Just opened a new booth in a totally different area and have already done well. It's so interesting to hear what sells and doesn't! I LOVE those paper flowers!